Richard Jinman

1 hour ago, Bloopdad1 said:

Hi. 

I'm a past user of EA iamp600 (serial number 27!) into a pair of EA VL110 cabs. 

Sold them and went to a Genz-Benz amp and Bergantino/Vanderkley cabs. 

Then about 7yrs ago stumbled upon barefaced 12" cabs and the very next day sold all of my Bergs and a Vanderkley (they're that good!) 

 

For all my double bass pit work, jazz, big band and sessions I use my Clarus 2 (600w @ 4ohm) into a Super Midget (1x12" +T) and for when we're on stage I use a BB2 (1x12" +T) and the Clarus (or Genz-Benz with a HPF) 

The cabs are super clean and both pizz and arco sound superb. 

Ultra light and ultra strong. 

The Clarus and Super Midget does over 150 gigs a year, then the BB2 and 900w Genz-Benz does the rest on bass guitar. 

Superb amps and the ultimate cabs for my 200yr old double bass. 

I highly recommend Barefaced. 

 

Oh, and if I want STUPID LOUD I pair both cabs together.... But they're literally ridiculous!

That’s a great recommendation thanks

*a gear manufacturer…. Bloody spell check 

8 minutes ago, chyc said:

I've heard the two side by side, and to my ears the 10" was better for pizzicato, but I'm not really a good yardstick as I was playing at the time. The lower frequencies in the 12" felt like they were resonating the bass, which is very easily solved with a bit of EQ, but it didn't seem to happen with the 10" Monza.

 

I think stevie would have been better placed (literally) to hear the cabinet. In any case the difference was subtle so if it were me, I'd actually have to factor size/weight/price into the consideration. Either one would be a very good fit in my opinion.

That’s helpful thanks… just nice to talk to agrarian manufacturer who’s so keen to get you what you need!

On 11/12/2023 at 18:59, TheRev said:

I actually preferred the 12" Monaco over the Monza, but that was probably because it sounded closer to my MAS 45.

 

If I had to replace my MAS cabs, I'd be looking at a LfSys Monaco or a couple of Barefaced 10s

I’ve exchanged a few emails with @stevie and he’s very kindly offered to loan me a cab. My choice is between the 10 and 12 inch driver’s .. if the size/weight of the cab is not a big issue would you go for the 12 inch Monaco for double bass? Thanks

14 minutes ago, chyc said:

This talk about BB2s has got me thinking about a decent alternative I tried recently. At the SE Bass Bash I was able to try out the LfSys cabinets using my double bass, the cabs being made by @stevie of this parish. I was impressed with the sound that it generated. If you had to make me choose between the cabinets he sells, then no question the 10" Monza was the best sounding of the bunch for upright bass. My favourite sounding cabinet that I own is a 6.5" GSS. I would recommend that one except you're saying a Doubleshot doesn't give you enough grunt. The Monza seems to have that GSS sound, but it can go much louder, probably as loud as I need it to go. Wished I'd played them side by side now. Maybe next year's bash

 

I've never tried a BB2, but I would say that if LfSys's 12" cabinets are supposed to go toe to toe with the BB2, then the Monza is more appropriate for double bass. How does the Monza compare with a doubleshot? I don't know sorry as I've never seen a DS, and sadly I probably never will. I was incredibly saddened to hear this year of the passing of Rick Jones at Acoustic Image. I own two Acoustic Images. One is old enough to vote and drink alcohol.

 

Warning, subjectivity ahead:   This is my best guess as to why I prefer smaller cabs. Flat-response is a really good indicator of a good speaker cabinet, but there are other things to consider. For me the signal coming from my pickup is absolutely not the sound I hear or indeed I want to hear out front. A piezo pick-up contains far too much fundamental frequency for my taste, so for double bass for me at least a flat response sits lower in the priority list. I would guess that the 10" cone naturally limits the ultra-low frequencies that I hate so much compared to the 12" that these electric types seem to prefer these days. Also, at the other end of the frequency spectrum that horrible scratchy noise that electric bassists hate so much I would regard as string detail and I love it! My Rolls-Royce amplification setup has me using a blended signal of microphone and pickup. The pickup does the grunt work, and the microphone gives me the upper frequencies and air that I find lacking with just a pickup.

 

Coming back from my aside, if people are recommending BB2, I would say that LfSys seem to be similar in mission to Barefaced, and also apparently a fair bit cheaper as well. To be honest, I'm really surprised nobody's mentioned LfSys yet as they seem to be very well regarded on this forum.

 

 

 

Very interesting… have to admit I haven’t heard of LfSys

9 hours ago, jrixn1 said:

 

A Big Baby 2/3 can go very loud.  You wrote in another thread that you are "playing with a trad jazz band (+1 drummer, Sax, trombone etc)".  A BB3 rig is likely massive overkill for that lineup.  If you're going with Barefaced perhaps their smaller Super Mini T would be better.

 

Having said that, if I was called for that gig I'd take my QSC CP12 (a small 12" active PA speaker).

The powered speaker route is something of a mystery to me. My understanding is you use a pre amp like a Headway to run a speaker which is essentially one half of a PA system. I’m wondering what the advantages of this are? Presumably it’s a little less kit, but class D amps are pretty tiny. Do you feel the sound is better than a conventional amp/cab set up?

Thanks… I like the double shot, but mainly because it’s so portable. There are definite limits to how loud it can go. 

I’ve read a few postings on here about the Earbox … positive and negative. I play DB through an AI clarus and double shot cab. We only play small gigs and I usually have the double shot behind me on a chair as a monitor and amplification. When it’s gypsy jazz (no drummer just 2x guitars etc) I can hear myself fine. But playing with a trad jazz band (+1 drummer, Sax, trombone etc) I could hear very little. I like the idea of the Earbox as a monitor. 2 questions:

can I power it from the Clarus amp (double shot only has a single input) and do any DB players have experience (good and bad) of using one? Thanks. 

Still available?

11 hours ago, keeponehandloose said:

Barefaced Big Baby II. 

Do you use one with DB?

31 minutes ago, JoeEvans said:

Following various experiments I came to the conclusion that the best DB sound for me came from the right mic then as little as possible on the way to a good active PA speaker, or just straight into the venue PA. I'm not sure if bass-specific amps and cabs are the right thing for DB.

Interesting, thanks

36 minutes ago, Richard Jinman said:

... and when I say grunt I was thinking 1x12 with tweeter or even 2x12

I think what I'm describing is Magical Equipment Syndrome - the idea that certain amps and cabs will deliver an unparalleled sound based on a vague notion rather than any concrete knowledge of engineering, acoustics etc. So, it would be great to hear from someone who actually understands some of these things. Or doesn't. It's all fun. 

2 minutes ago, Richard Jinman said:

Thought I'd open a can of worms, but I'd genuinely like to know the answer. I have an Acoustic Image Clarus and love it. My AI cab (doubleshot) is great in rehearsal type situations, but I'd like something with a bit more grunt for bigger gigs. The late lamented Euphonic Audio were obviously the go-to cabs for DB in the past, but I'm wondering if the likes of Bergantino etc would be their equivalent or better given the passing of time? I guess this is a variation on the 'what's a great clean sounding cab' question which has been asked previously, but it would be good to know if my EA fixation is purely nostalgia or based in some kind of reality? 

... and when I say grunt I was thinking 1x12 with tweeter or even 2x12

Thought I'd open a can of worms, but I'd genuinely like to know the answer. I have an Acoustic Image Clarus and love it. My AI cab (doubleshot) is great in rehearsal type situations, but I'd like something with a bit more grunt for bigger gigs. The late lamented Euphonic Audio were obviously the go-to cabs for DB in the past, but I'm wondering if the likes of Bergantino etc would be their equivalent or better given the passing of time? I guess this is a variation on the 'what's a great clean sounding cab' question which has been asked previously, but it would be good to know if my EA fixation is purely nostalgia or based in some kind of reality? 

On 02/12/2023 at 21:26, TheGreek said:

Did this sell?

Pretty sure @Burns-bassbought this as I was also interested. Apologies if I’m wrong

7 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

What a beautiful thing.

+1

All hail….. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/03/ron-carter-jazz-bassist-miles-davis-aretha-franklin-roberta-flack-interview?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

...and Paul's basses look beautiful. 

18 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

 

Hi Richard, our friend Bassace is right. It's a 3/4 double bass but it's just a fraction smaller in the body than a typical 3/4, and the string length is a tiny bit smaller (not so that you would notice). It's as suitable for orchestral playing as it is for jazz. 

 

The sound is rich and full bodied, but the neck is a little thinner, which makes it easier to navigate (for me, at least).

 

You can see details on the site: https://www.bryantbasses.co.uk/basses

 

Here's the Martin's version of a similarly sized bass: https://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instruments-for-sale/new-double-basses/martin-solo 

Thanks very much ... you learn something every day and today it's 'what is a solo bass?'

Can I ask a question please? What exactly is a soloist bass? I presume it's a DB optimised for a certain kind of playing - solos presumably - but haven't found a coherent explanation online. Is it somehow less suitable for bread-and-butter walking lines for eg? Thanks

Looks incredible… ah, if only

29 minutes ago, NickA said:

Call David at Bassbags.co.uk.   They have been supplying bass bags for decades  I have one from them and it's ... just perfect.   Sturdy, well padded, lots of carrying handles (which are in the right places for me!)

 

this one I think; but they have other options

 

https://www.bassbags.co.uk/product/westbury-double-bass-bag-11mm-padding/

 

 

By a stroke of luck this is exactly what I’m getting from another basschatter 

Please see ad in Double Bass and EUBs for sale

3 minutes ago, Richard Jinman said:

I’ve got hold of a new AI Clarus and Doubleshot so putting these two up for sale. The Focus comes with the original AI padded bag (and even a manual!). I’ve pasted a page from the AI site with the specs. Amp is working flawlessly and sounds great with the (much younger) Upshot… a small gig/rehearsal set up that fits in a backpack. I’ll include a speakon cable and (obviously) the amp power lead. Postage at buyer’s expense, thanks.

I’ve got hold of a new AI Clarus and Doubleshot so putting these two up for sale. The Focus comes with the original AI padded bag (and even a manual!). I’ve pasted a page from the AI site with the specs. Amp is working flawlessly and sounds great with the (much younger) Upshot… a small gig/rehearsal set up that fits in a backpack. I’ll include a speakon cable and (obviously) the amp power lead. Postage at buyer’s expense, thanks.